Back in the limelight
Former PRCA champ chases big bucks in the PBR
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PUEBLO, Colo. (August 22, 2008) - Bull rider Matt Austin has been making the news on the Professional Bull Riders circuits as he attempts to move back into the spotlight.
But his success is coming after dealing with a series of nagging injuries.
Three years ago, the Wills Point, Texas, cowboy generated headlines when he earned $320,766 after winning the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association bull riding title. But a year later, Austin’s career began to suffer when he withdrew from competing at the 2006 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. He immediately underwent surgery in December 2006 to repair torn muscles in his abdominal and groin areas. Several months later, he underwent surgery on his right knee after suffering an accident while working at his ranch.
Austin had plans to return to competition in October 2007. But he was sidelined for almost two months when he broke a bone in his right ankle during a practice session at his ranch.
When he attempted to return, Austin again was delayed with a fractured elbow in his right (riding) arm, an injury that he sustained during another practice session.
Austin now is regularly competing again and he’s attempting to excel on the PBR circuits more than ever.
Last month, he earned $9,192 after finishing second at a PBR Challenger Tour stop in Salinas, Calif. And Austin was in the news again when he and Kody Lostroh each earned $22,500 after the two men joined forces and won the recent ESPN Team Shootout title in Paso Robles, Calif.
Austin has 2008 PBR earnings of $33,714, and he ranks 57th in the World Finals Qualifier Standings. In order to qualify for the 2008 World Finals that’s scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 2 and Nov. 6-9, Austin must move into the top 45 by the end of the regular season.
The 25-year-old Austin says he’s making a run at qualifying for the Las Vegas championships and he wants to become a regular competitor on the Built Ford Tough Series.
In an interview this week, Austin answered questions about the PBR, his career and his plans for the future.
Question. You’ve been in different bull riding associations. What’s the PBR’s strongpoint?
Answer: The money. You’d be dumb not to ride in the PBR with the money that they have. They give $1 million to the end of the year winner.
Q. Obviously, you feel that you have the potential to go earn great money in the PBR. What are you thinking?
A. I’m looking at my future. I’m going to try to get my foot in the door and go to their bull ridings and start getting after them.
Q. What’s the difference between the PBR and competing on the national rodeo circuit?
A. The difference is that you don’t have to go (travel) as hard. In the PBR, you are going to get on better bulls. They have the best bulls in the world. In rodeo, you’re not always going to draw a good bull.
Q. Is it a nice break to not have to travel so hard and win $22,500 at one show?
A. To go to one event and win that much is awesome. It just shows where the sport of bull riding has grown to.
Q. You’ve endured a string of injuries. How have you dealt with the setbacks?
A. It’s been a test of my faith. I’ve grown stronger mentally, physically and spiritually and all that will benefit me in the long run.
Q. How have you mentally dealt with your injuries?
A. Mentally, it’s been a challenge. But it’s been good for me because I’ve learned how to discipline my mind. I’ve learned how my mind can work for me and against me.
Q. Your latest injury was the elbow injury. How have you rebounded from that one?
A. I rode off and on and kind of just went on with it. I just kind of got better as I went.
Q. Are you going full force now?
A. I don’t think I’ve gotten back to where I want to be just yet. But I have God on my side and he’s helping me and that’s the main thing. I just feel like the more I get on bulls, the better that I get.
-By Brett Hoffman
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